Antioxidant and Hypoglycemic Activity of Sequentially Extracted Fractions from Pingguoli Pear Fermentation Broth and Identification of Bioactive Compounds.

Pear fruits have been reported to contain abundant bioactive compounds and exhibit antidiabetic activity. In this study, Pingguoli pear (Pyrus pyrifolia cv.'Pingguoli') fermentation broth was sequentially extracted by five solvents with increasing polarity (petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, n-butanol, and water) to evaluate its antioxidant and hypothermic activities, and then the main compounds of the fraction with the highest activity were assessed, which might be responsible for such activities. The results showed that the ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) exhibited the highest antioxidant activity according to DPPH (IC50 = 0.238 mg/mL), ABTS (IC50 = 0.293 mg/mL), and FRAP (IC50 = 0.193 mg/mL) assays. The in vitro hypoglycemic activity assay showed that EAF exhibited the strongest inhibitory effect, with IC50 values of 0.34 and 0.95 mg/mL for α-amylase and α-glucosidase, respectively. The glucose consumption in HepG2 cells treated with EAF was significantly increased to 252%, compare with control group. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis implied that the main compounds, 3'-C-glucosylisoliquiritigenin, robustside D, caffeic acid, and chlorogenic acid may be potential candidates for the antioxidant and hypoglycemic activities of the EAF. This study suggested that EAF of Pingguoli pear fermentation broth could be utilized for development of potential functional food and antidiabetic agents.

The Beneficial Effects of Hydrogen-Rich Saline Irrigation on Chronic Rhinitis: A Randomized, Double-Blind Clinical Trial.

Purpose: Chronic rhinitis (CR) is a common chronic inflammation of the nasal mucosa. Nasal saline irrigation has been demonstrated to be an effective treatment for CR. In this study, we investigated the beneficial effects of hydrogen-rich saline irrigation as an anti-inflammatory irrigation therapy for CR and compared its effectiveness over saline irrigation. Hydrogen-rich saline (HRS) was investigated due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Methods: A total of 120 patients with CR were randomly divided into two groups, patients irrigated with HR (HRS group) and the control group irrigated with saline (NS group). A randomized, double-blind control study was performed. The main observation index in this study was the total score of nasal symptoms (TNSS). In addition, eosinophilic protein (ECP) of the nasal secretions, nasal nitric oxide (nNO) levels, and levels of regulatory T cells (Treg) and regulatory B cells (Breg) were also compared between the two groups. Furthermore, patients with allergic rhinitis (AR) and non-allergic rhinitis (NAR) were also evaluated based on serum-specific IgE positivity. Results: After treatment, TNSS and nasal ECP in the two groups decreased significantly (P<0.05), with patients in the HRS group showing significantly lower levels compared to the NS group (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in Treg and Breg levels between the two groups. Subgroup analysis showed that TNSS in the AR-HRS group showed a more significant reduction compared to the AR-NS group (P<0.05); however, there were no significant differences for the other inflammatory biomarkers (P>0.05). ECP levels were reduced significantly in the NAR subgroup compared to NS irrigation (P<0.05). There were no obvious adverse events observed in patients during the entire treatment period. Conclusion: Compared to saline irrigation, HRS nasal irrigation was found to improve CR clinical symptoms, especially in patients with AR. HRS could effectively be used for the clinical treatment of patients with CR.

Analysis of Characteristics and Application of Toxic Traditional Chinese Medicine in Chinese Materia Medica / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo count and analyze the toxic traditional Chinese medicines and their characteristics in Chinese Materia Medica， so as to provide reference for the development and application of toxic drugs. MethodThe traditional Chinese medicines included in Chinese Materia Medica were screened one by one， and the inclusion criteria were "drug properties"， "usage and dosage" and "major poison， highly poisonous， poisonous， slightly poisonous， slightly poisonous" appearing in ancient books. Standard toxic traditional Chinese medicines were entered into an excel sheet for statistical analysis. ResultA total of 1 408 toxic Chinese medicines were included. The properties and flavors were mainly cold， bitter， pungent and sweet； the main meridians were liver， lung， spleen and stomach； the root， whole grass and leaves were the most used medicinal parts， and there were many toxic drugs. The pre-treatment methods are mainly sun-dried， fresh， fried， calcined， and sunburned； the efficacy categories are mainly heat-clearing drugs， rheumatism drugs， blood-activating and stasis-removing drugs； oral administration methods are mainly decoctions， pills， and powders ， mainly for external application， dipping， and coating； the dosage for oral administration is mostly 9-15 g， 3-9 g， 3-6 g， and an appropriate amount is mainly for external use. ConclusionThere are many toxic Chinese medicines clearly recorded in Chinese Materia Medica， but only 83 kinds of clearly toxic Chinese medicines are included in Chinese Pharmacopoeia， which need to be further strengthened by experimental observation and clinical data verification. The clinical application of toxic traditional Chinese medicine is mainly based on heat toxin blood syndrome and rheumatic arthralgia， which is closely related to its nature， taste and meridian return. Able to move， has the effect of activating Qi and activating blood， "sweet" can replenish energy and slow down， and has the effect of tonic， alleviation and pain relief， and mostly used for the treatment of heat syndrome， blood syndrome and arthralgia syndrome. However， there are certain limitations in the classification and processing conditions of toxic traditional Chinese medicines， which need to be further improved and scientifically verified.

Analysis of Characteristics and Application of Toxic Traditional Chinese Medicine in Chinese Materia Medica / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo count and analyze the toxic traditional Chinese medicines and their characteristics in Chinese Materia Medica， so as to provide reference for the development and application of toxic drugs. MethodThe traditional Chinese medicines included in Chinese Materia Medica were screened one by one， and the inclusion criteria were "drug properties"， "usage and dosage" and "major poison， highly poisonous， poisonous， slightly poisonous， slightly poisonous" appearing in ancient books. Standard toxic traditional Chinese medicines were entered into an excel sheet for statistical analysis. ResultA total of 1 408 toxic Chinese medicines were included. The properties and flavors were mainly cold， bitter， pungent and sweet； the main meridians were liver， lung， spleen and stomach； the root， whole grass and leaves were the most used medicinal parts， and there were many toxic drugs. The pre-treatment methods are mainly sun-dried， fresh， fried， calcined， and sunburned； the efficacy categories are mainly heat-clearing drugs， rheumatism drugs， blood-activating and stasis-removing drugs； oral administration methods are mainly decoctions， pills， and powders ， mainly for external application， dipping， and coating； the dosage for oral administration is mostly 9-15 g， 3-9 g， 3-6 g， and an appropriate amount is mainly for external use. ConclusionThere are many toxic Chinese medicines clearly recorded in Chinese Materia Medica， but only 83 kinds of clearly toxic Chinese medicines are included in Chinese Pharmacopoeia， which need to be further strengthened by experimental observation and clinical data verification. The clinical application of toxic traditional Chinese medicine is mainly based on heat toxin blood syndrome and rheumatic arthralgia， which is closely related to its nature， taste and meridian return. Able to move， has the effect of activating Qi and activating blood， "sweet" can replenish energy and slow down， and has the effect of tonic， alleviation and pain relief， and mostly used for the treatment of heat syndrome， blood syndrome and arthralgia syndrome. However， there are certain limitations in the classification and processing conditions of toxic traditional Chinese medicines， which need to be further improved and scientifically verified.

Efficacy in the Treatment of Neck-type Cervical Spondylosis Predominantly with Intention Acupuncture-moxibustion Method / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To compare the clinical efficacy between the reducing manipulation of intention acupuncture-moxibustion method and ordinary twirling reducing manipulation in treating neck-type cervical spondylosis due to wind-cold-dampness.Method A total of 132 patients with neck-type cervical spondylosis due to wind-cold-dampness were randomized into group A and group B,66 cases each.Ashi points were selected as the major points in both groups.In group A,the reducing manipulation of intention acupuncture-moxibustion method was required to be used;in group B,dry twirling reducing manipulation was adopted.TDP and cupping were added in both groups.The Northwick Park Neck Pain Questionnaire (NPQ) and Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) were measured before and after the intervention.The clinical efficacies and relapse rates were compared between the two groups.Result The NPQ and NRS scores were changed significantly in both groups after the treatment (P＜0.01).After the intervention,the NPQ and NRS scores in group A were significantly different from those in group B (P＜0.01).The total effective rate and markedly effective rate were respectively 98.5％ and 87.9％ in group A,versus 97.0％ and 71.2％ in group B,and the difference in the markedly effective rate was statistically significant (P＜0.05).Of the effective cases in group A,the relapse rate was 4.6％ 3 months after the intervention,versus 17.2％ in group B,and the between-group difference was statistically significant (P＜0.05).Conclusion It's effective to treat neck-type cervical spondylosis due to wind-cold-dampness majorly with intention acupuncture-moxibusiton method,and it can produce a better result than ordinary twirling reducing manipulation.

The long-term effect of 1550 nm erbium:glass fractional laser in acne vulgaris.

We evaluated the short-term and long-term effects of the 1550 nm erbium:glass (Er:glass) fractional laser in the treatment of facial acne vulgaris. Forty-five (9 male and 36 female) acne patients were treated 4 times at 4-week intervals with the following parameters: 169 spot density and 15-30 mJ/cm(2) fluence. There was no control group. The laser spots were adjustable (maximum overlap: 20%) according to the treatment area, and delivered in rows in order to cover all the face. Clinical photographs were taken. The IGA scores and lesion counts were performed for each treatment. Their current state was obtained by phone call follow-up to determine the long-term effect and photographs were offered by themselves or taken in hospital. After four treatments, all patients had an obvious reduction of lesion counts and IGA score and the peak lesion counts decreased to 67.7% after the initial four treatment sessions. For long-term effect, 8 patients lost follow-up, hence 37 patients were followed-up. 8 patients were 2-year follow up, 27 at the 1-year follow-up, and all patients at the half-year follow-up. The mean percent reduction was 72% at the half-year follow-up, 79 at the 1-year follow-up and 75% at the 2-year follow-up. Side effects and complications were limited to transient erythema and edema, and few patients suffered from transient acne flare-ups and sensitivity. All patients responded that their skin was less prone to oiliness. In conclusion, acne can be successfully treated by 1550 nm Er:glass fractional laser, with few side effects and prolonged acne clearing.

Serum uric acid is neuroprotective in Chinese patients with acute ischemic stroke treated with intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator.

BACKGROUND: Exogenous uric acid (UA) is a neuroprotective antioxidant that reinforces the benefits of intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator thrombolysis in animal thromboembolic stroke. However, whether serum uric acid (SUA) also increases the benefits of thrombolysis in Chinese patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) has yet to be fully defined. METHODS: A total of 216 consecutive AIS patients of Chinese origin treated with intravenous thrombolysis were enrolled in a prospective stroke registry. Demographic and clinical characteristics, conventional risk factors, important laboratory data, and neurologic course were prospectively recorded. Functional outcomes were assessed with the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score on day 90 by telephone calls. Receiver operating characteristic curves and binary logistic regression models were used to examine the performance of SUA in predicting excellent outcomes (mRS, 0-1). RESULTS: SUA levels were significantly higher in patients with excellent outcomes than those in patients with poor outcomes (331.46 ± 103.39 versus 277.69 ± 105.62, P = .008). SUA had a modest power for predicting excellent outcomes as suggested by area under the curve of .665 ± .052, P = .003. In multivariate models, increased SUA levels (adjusted odds ratio, 1.005; 95% confidence interval, 1.002-1.009; P = .033) were associated with excellent outcomes independently of the effect of possible confounders. Spearman correlation tests indicated that there was an inverse correlation between SUA levels and stroke severity. CONCLUSIONS: Increased SUA levels are associated with excellent outcomes in Chinese patients with AIS treated with intravenous thrombolysis, giving additional support to administration of exogenous UA as an adjuvant to thrombolysis.

Efficacy observation on supraspinal ligament injury in deficiency syndrome treated with acupuncture at Dazhong (KI 4) only / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the efficacy difference on the treatment of supraspinal ligament injury in deficiency syndrome between only-puncturing at Dazhong (KI 4) and routine acupuncture therapy and then explore an optimum process.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and twenty-six cases were randomly divided into a Dazhong group (63 cases) and a routine acupuncture group (63 cases). Based on the same treatment including TDP irradiation, cupping at Shenshu (BL 23), Dachangshu (BL 25), Mingmen (GV 4), Yaoyangguan (GV 3) and Ashi points, the patients in the Dazhong group received only-puncturing Dazhong (KI 4) with respiratory reinforcing method once daily or every other day, three times of which made a course of the treatment, with on interval of one day or without between different courses. For the routine acupuncture group, the same reinforcing method was applied at shenshu (BL 23) pointect, and the other requirements such as courses were also the same.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The cured and markedly effective rate was 88.9% (56/63) in the Dazhong group, which was significantly superior to that of 54.0% (34/63) in the routine acupuncture group (P < 0.01). Compared before and after the treatment, the score of Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) and the clinical symptom score of the two groups were significantly decreased (all PF < 0.01). Compared between the two groups, there were significant differences in NRS and clinical symptom score the Dazhong group was better than the routine acupuncture group (both P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The only-puncturing Dazhong (KI 4) method combined with cupping and TDP irradiation are simple and effective for supraspinal ligament injury in deficiency syndrome.</p>

Clinical observation on therapeutic effect of warming needle at spinal nerves for treatment of cervical spondylosis of nerve root type / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the therapeutic effect of warming needle at spinal nerves in front of transverse posterior tubercle of cervical vertebra and acupoints of cervical Jiaji (EX-B 2) on cervical spondylosis of nerve root type.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and eighty cases were randomly divided into an observation group (120 cases) and a control group (60 cases). Both groups were treated with warming needle and cupping therapy. In the observation group, the transverse posterior tubercles of C2-C7 were selected as the safe points for inserting the needle towards the spinal nerves and warming the needle. In the control group, the corresponding acupoints of cervical Jiaji (EX-B 2) were deeply punctured. The rest treatment was same in the both groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In the observation group and the control group, the effective rate was 96.7% (116/120) and 78.3% (47/60) respectively, while the clinical curative rate was 74.2% (89/120) and 46.7% (28/60) respectively. There were significant differences between the two groups (both P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Warming needle at spinal nerves in front of transverse posterior tubercle of cervical vertebra, as a main therapy for treating cervical spondylosis of nerve root type, is a safe and effective method that is better than acupuncture at the acupoints of cervical Jiaii (EX-B 2).</p>

Clinical observation on the treatment for intractable systremma by warming needling combined with cupping / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the relatively efficacious acupuncture treatment for intractable systremma.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and fifty cases were randomly divided into an observation group (n = 100) and a control group (n = 50). Both groups were received the warming needling treatment combined with cupping. The needle was inserted on to sciatic nerve at Huantiao (GB 30) in the observation group, but in the control group, the needle was not needled on sciatic nerve. The effectiveness of the warming needling treatment combined with cupping was compared between the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The effective rate of 98.0% in the observation group was better than that of 86.0% in the control group with a significant difference (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The warming needling treatment combined with cupping at Huanriso (GB 30) is a better method for intractable systremma, in which the treatment of needle inserted on to sciatic nerve is more effective.</p>

Protective effects of phytoestrogen alpha-zearalanol on beta amyloid25-35 induced oxidative damage in cultured rat hippocampal neurons.

Although experimental evidence has shown that the neuroprotective effect from estrogen may benefit postmenopausal women, but the clinical use of estrogen was limited by the risk of increasing the cases of mammary and endometrial cancer. This study was designed to evaluate the neuroprotective effects of a novel phytoestrogen alpha-zearalanol (alpha-ZAL), on the cultured rat hippocampal neurons. Following a 24-h exposure of the cells to amyloid beta-peptide fragment 25-35 (A beta 25-35), a significant reduction in cell survival and activities of total superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), as well as increased of malondialdehyde (MDA) were observed. Preincubation of the cells with alpha-ZAL or 17 beta-estradiol(17 beta-E2) prior to A beta 25-35 exposure elevated the cell survival and SOD and GSH-Px activities, and decreased the level of MDA. These data suggested that the phytoestrogen alpha-ZAL, like estrogen, may effectively antagonize A beta 25-35-induced cell toxicity, which might be beneficial for neurons.

The main mechanism of the reinforcing-reducing method in Huangdi's Internal Classic is to promote qi with thought / 中国针灸

Based on Huangdi' s Internal Classic and a great deal of clinical verification, in combination with new discoveries of the nerve, the meridian electromagnetic field and the quantum physics for role of thought outside body, it is proved that the main mechanism of the reinforcing-reducing method in Huangdi's Internal Classic is to promote flow of qi with the doctor's thought, with the needle very few twisted and rotated; discover new mechanisms of the reinforcing-reducing method, newly explain and clinically verify many basic standpoints about the reinforcing-reducing, and name as "acupuncture therapy of promoting qi with thought". The method has a strong reinforcing-reducing function and do not need the needle feeling, and is directly related with doctor's idea. It is emphasized specially that it can be carefully adopted only when full syndrome differentiation is made and strictly obey the contraindications in Huangdi's Internal Classic, otherwise it has very serious danger. This kind of model that doctor's mental effect is translated into the patient's biological effect put forward new problem, new thinking for brain sciences and modern acupuncture studies.

Treatment with phytoestrogen alpha-zearalanol might protect neurons of hippocampus in ovariectomized rats.

Although neuroprotective effects of estrogen on postmenopausal women have been recognized, an associated increased incidence of uterine and breast tumors has jeopardized the clinical use of estrogen. This study was designed to evaluate the neuroprotective effects of a novel phytoestrogen alpha-zearalanol (alpha-ZAL), on ovariectomized (OVX) rats. Adult Wistar rats were ovariectomized or sham-operated and treatment with equivalent doses of 17beta-estradiol or alpha-ZAL for 5 wk. Uteruses have been weighted and stained by hematoxylin and eosin for morphology analysis. The expression of synaptophysin and parvalbumin in hippocampus were evaluated by immunohistochemistry assays. Our experiments indicated that the synaptophysin and parvalbumin-positive areas were significantly decreased in the OVX group compared to the sham group, alpha-ZAL or 17beta-estradiol administration can reverse the effects. Although alpha-ZAL and 17beta-estradiol treatments reconciled uterus weight loss which was induced by ovariectomy, the effect of alpha-ZAL was less than 17beta-estradiol. This result suggests that alpha-ZAL may effectively abate neurons loss in the hippocampus while slightly promoting weight gain of the uterus.

The essence of the aponeurotic in Huangdi 's Internal Classic is nerves / 中国针灸

By comparison and analysis of anatomy, location, symptoms, clinic and theory of five elements, the article negates the later generations' wrong knowledge about the aponeurotic system. It also demonstrates that the essence of the aponeurotic system in the Huangdi's Internal Classic is mainly the somatic nerve of the peripheral nerves, with a less functions of the central nerve and vegetative nerve. The clarifying and turning back of this con cept is of very important significance for inheritance and development of TCM, and integrated Chinese medicine and western medicine, and scientific research and clinic of TCM.